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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Children's Medicines in Tanzania: A National Survey of Administration Practices and Preferences
PLoS ONE, Volume 8, No. 3, Article e58303, Year 2013
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Description
Objective: The dearth of age-appropriate formulations of many medicines for children poses a major challenge to pediatric therapeutic practice, adherence, and health care delivery worldwide. We provide information on current administration practices of pediatric medicines and describe key stakeholder preferences for new formulation characteristics. Patients and Methods: We surveyed children aged 6-12 years, parents/caregivers over age 18 with children under age 12, and healthcare workers in 10 regions of Tanzania to determine current pediatric medicine prescription and administration practices as well as preferences for new formulations. Analyses were stratified by setting, pediatric age group, parent/caregiver education, and healthcare worker cadre. Results: Complete data were available for 206 children, 202 parents/caregivers, and 202 healthcare workers. Swallowing oral solid dosage forms whole or crushing/dissolving them and mixing with water were the two most frequently reported methods of administration. Children frequently reported disliking medication taste, and many had vomited doses. Healthcare workers reported medicine availability most significantly influences prescribing practices. Most parents/caregivers and children prefer sweet-tasting medicine. Parents/caregivers and healthcare workers prefer oral liquid dosage forms for young children, and had similar thresholds for the maximum number of oral solid dosage forms children at different ages can take. Conclusions: There are many impediments to acceptable and accurate administration of medicines to children. Current practices are associated with poor tolerability and the potential for under- or over-dosing. Children, parents/caregivers, and healthcare workers in Tanzania have clear preferences for tastes and formulations, which should inform the development, manufacturing, and marketing of pediatric medications for resource-limited settings. © 2013 Adams et al.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3590153/bin/pone.0058303.s001.doc
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3590153/bin/pone.0058303.s002.doc
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3590153/bin/pone.0058303.s003.doc
Authors & Co-Authors
Adams, Lisa V.
United States, Hanover
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Craig, S. R.
United States, Hanover
Dartmouth College
Mmbaga, Elia John
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Naburi, Helga Elineema
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Lahey, Timothy P.
United States, Hanover
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Nutt, Cameron T.
United States, Lebanon
The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice
Kisenge, Rodrick R.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Noel, Gary J.
United States, Cambridge
Institute for Pediatric Innovation
United States, New York
Weill Cornell Medicine
United Kingdom, Cambridge
Astrazeneca
Spielberg, Stephen P.
United States, Silver Spring
Food and Drug Administration
Statistics
Citations: 40
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 8
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0058303
e-ISSN:
19326203
Research Areas
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Tanzania